Pocket lighter

ABSTRACT

A flint feed and replacement means for a pocket lighter features a slide backed up by a relatively constant tension spring. The flint is clamped endwise between the slide and the periphery of the rotary flint wheel. The slide is retractable to allow easy removal and replacement of the flint and is latched in the retracted position by a cooperating detent element on the springloaded lid of the lighter.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Ludwig Reim [56] References Cited Flensburger sllflse 20, 85 Numberg, UNTED STATES PATENTS [2]] App No 3:;33 2,746,277 5/1956 Perlin 431/274 [22] Filed Aug 13 1969 2,865,185 12/1958 Gellman 43l/274 [45] Patented June 8, I971 Primary Examiner-Edward J. Michael [32] Priority Aug. 22, 1968 Att0rneyB. P. Fishburne, Jr. [33] Germany [311 P1782 372.2

ABSTRACT: A flint feed and replacement means for a pocket [54] ggfj gt jf lighter features a slide backed up by a relatively constant tenn g sion spring. The flint is clamped endwise between the slide and 431/276 the periphery of the rotary flint wheel. The slide is retractable F23q 1/06 to allow easy removal and replacement of the flint and is Field of Search 431/254, latched in the retracted position by a cooperating detent ele- 273-277 ment on the spring-loaded lid of the lighter.

a l-- j 5-5 l l r r- 9 a e \l 5 4 POCKET LIGHTER It is well known in pocket cigarette lighters to press the igniting flint against the flint wheel by utilizing the force of a helical spring whose tension can be preloaded and adjusted by a coaxial setscrew. By removing the small screw and the spring, flint replacement is made possible. An important disadvantage of this conventional arrangement is that the coil spring is not capable of exerting a relatively constant force on the flint as variations in spring loading due to gradual wearing of the flint take place. That is to say, when a new flint is employed, the coil spring will be rather fully compressed and will exert a considerable force against the flint. When the flint is worn and the spring expands, its tension and force drop considerably and this in turn results in poor sparking and poor lighting results. If the spring tension is increased by turning the screw to compensate for the worn flint, this inevitably will cause overloading of the spring when used with an unworn flint, so that the flint wheel can only be turned with difficulty or not at all and still further adjustment of the screw must be made. Ordinarily, the spring must be arranged horizontally and is extremely short because of the mechanical layout of the lighter, which in turn is a reason for the great variation in force between an unworn flint and a worn flint backed up by the coil spring. Also, when the adjusting screw is removed for replacement of the flint, the small coil spring has a tendency to pop out and to become lost.

The objective of this invention is to eliminate all of the above prior art problems by the provision of a much more efflcient and convenient flint-loading mechanism in a pocket lighter. The mechanism employs a form of spring which is capable of exerting a relatively constant force on the flint regardless of whether the flint is worn or unworn and the need for the tension-adjusting screw is completely eliminated. The mechanism also embodies a simple slide backed up by the constant tension spring, and the slide abuts one end of the flint and presses the opposite end of the flint against the flint wheel. Manual retraction of the slide permits easy replacement of the worn flint without the necessity for any flint spring adjustment. The slide and the pivoted spring-loaded lid of the lighter have cooperating latch parts which hold the slide in the retracted position until the lid is closed. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section through a pocket lighter with the lid closed and a spring-loaded flint inserted in the normal position, conventional parts being omitted for simplicity.

FIG. 2 is a similar sectional view of the lighter with the lid open and the flint-engaging slide retracted and latched, the flint being shown in a partly inserted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals designate like parts, the numeral 1 designates the body or housing of a lighter having a lid 3 hinged thereto on a cross pin 2 near the top of the lighter and in the housing. From the lid 3, an arm extension 4 projects inwardly, at the end of which an integral detent or latching lug 5 is provided, as shown.

The arm extension 4 possesses a journal 6 moving therewith which is engaged by the forked end of a telescopic spring housing 7 shown in broken lines containing a compressible lid The flint 13 is normally disposed horizontally with one end thereof bearing frictionally against the periphery of the flint wheel II and its other end abutting a lug l5 ofa reciprocatory slide I6 having a downward extension or foot 17 which engages and is guided by horizontal housing shoulders 18 in its movement. The upper broader head of the slide 16 engages and is guided by a top plane surface 19 of the housing. The head of the slide 16 possesses a forward thumb rest 20, to the rear of which a latching lug 21 or detent part extends downwardly, as shown, for a purpose to be described.

Centrally within the housing 1, a torsion spring 23 has its coils supported on a fixed pin 22 and this spring is provided with one straight arm 24 bearing against a fixed pin 26 in the housing and an angled arm 25 whose terminal end engages in a locating groove 27 formed in the rear vertical wall of the slide 16. The type of spring employed is capable of exerting a nearly constant pressure against the flint l3 regardless of the length of the flint as wear occurs. That is to say, there is very little difference between the spring pressure exerted on an unworn flint as compared to a worn flint needing replacement. This eliminates the necessity for a spring tension adjustment and renders the flint wheel easy to operate at all times. When the lid 3 is closed, as in FIG. 1, the spring arm 25 continually urges the slide 16 into clamping engagement with the flint 13 and holds it firmly in contact with the flint wheel 11 with a substantially constant or even force which does not vary appreciably when the flint wears, as stated.

When it is desired to replace the worn flint 13, the lid 3 is opened, as in FIG. 2, and the coil spring 8 will then bias the lid in the open position, as the journal 6 swings to the other side of the hinge or pivot element 2. The slide 16 is now retracted from the flint by placing the finger on the thumb rest 20 and the latching lug 21 of the slide will engage and lock behind the lug 5, as shown in FIG. 2, slightly above the pin 2. The spring 8 will yield slightly to permit this interlocking engagement of the detent means. The opening 14 is now fully exposed and the worn flint can be easily removed and a new flint introduced into the lighter as depicted in FIG. 2.

Upon reclosing the lid 3, the tooth or lug 5 automatically releases the slide 16 and the spring arm 25 exercises its full force on the slide I6 and returns the slide to the normal flint holding position shown in FIG. 1.

It is believed that the simplicity, compactness and efficiency of operation of the invention will now be fully appreciated without further description. It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as preferred example, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lclaim:

1. In a pocket lighter, a body portion, a flint wheel journaled on the body portion, a flint element adjacent the flint wheel and contacting the same, a slide engaging the flint element and mounted on the body portion, a torsion springhaving a spring arm engaging the slide and exerting a nearly constant force on the slide in all positions thereof as the flint element becomes worn, a hinged lid on said body portion having a detent element, and a cooperating detent element on the slide moving into locking engagement with the detent element of the lid when the lid is opened and the slide is retracted.

2. The structure of claim 1, and a spring connected with the lid and adapted to bias the lid in open and closed positions, manual closing of the lid causing automatic release of said slide, whereby said torsion spring may return the slide to a flint element engaging position.

3. The structure of claim 1, and an extension on the hinged lid carrying the detent element of the lid and the detent element turning around the axis of the lid hinge when the lid is opened and closed, thereby moving the lid detent element toward and away from the cooperating detent element of the slide. 

1. In a pocket lighter, a body portion, a flint wheel journaled on the body portion, a flint element adjacent the flint wheel and contacting the same, a slide engaging the flint element and mounted on the body portion, a torsion spring having a spring arm engaging the slide anD exerting a nearly constant force on the slide in all positions thereof as the flint element becomes worn, a hinged lid on said body portion having a detent element, and a cooperating detent element on the slide moving into locking engagement with the detent element of the lid when the lid is opened and the slide is retracted.
 2. The structure of claim 1, and a spring connected with the lid and adapted to bias the lid in open and closed positions, manual closing of the lid causing automatic release of said slide, whereby said torsion spring may return the slide to a flint element engaging position.
 3. The structure of claim 1, and an extension on the hinged lid carrying the detent element of the lid and the detent element turning around the axis of the lid hinge when the lid is opened and closed, thereby moving the lid detent element toward and away from the cooperating detent element of the slide. 